CHARLINE DELKHAHPRESIDENT

Shalom! My name is Charline Delkhah and I’m a fourth year Managerial Economics major with a minor in Computer Science. My freshman year, BDS came to campus and passed. I had no understanding of what BDS was or the anti-Semitic climate on campus, yet felt scared to tell people I was Jewish. I was only here for 3 months, but knew I shouldn't wear my IDF shirt on campus. I didn't know much about Israel except for how much I loved my country - a country that is home to my family and shaped who I am today. I could not express my love for Israel because it was easier to be silent and safe than loud and scared. I joined AFI because I didn't want to be silent or scared anymore. I didn't want my fellow students to feel uncomfortable to say they are Jewish or voice their support for Israel. I didn't want incoming freshman to be scared to talk about their identity. Aggies for Israel has given me a family to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy life with. I have met the most intelligent and driven people in AFI. The misconceptions surrounding Israel is heartbreaking and it makes our job that much more important. AFI is not just an average club on campus. AFI is simply an extension of Israel: it's a home away from home. This is why I am an Aggie for Israel.

JACOB GREENSTEIN OUTREACH DIRECTOR

Hey! My name is Jacob Greenstein and I’m a second year Economics and International Relations major. I have been to Israel on two occasions, one of which really opened my eyes to the conflict. In the summer of 2014, I went in my first trip to Israel. Right from the start Israel came under constant rocket fire from Gaza. This gave me the opportunity to be in Israel during war time. Much of the staff was called up to serve in the IDF while us students constantly had to take shelter from rockets. This opened my eyes to what some of the daily struggles of Israelis were. But, most profound is during all this I never once felt unsafe in Israel. I am an Aggie for Israel because it has always been a place that I can consider a second home no matter the circumstances. It’s a land rich on history and culture.

SASCHA RECHT CO-INREACH DIRECTOR

Hello! My name is Sascha Recht and I’m a first year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major. I am an Aggie for Israel because as a Jew, I feel a strong connection to Israel and Judaism is one of the most important things in my life. Being able to advocate for the Jewish State is one of the most honorable and rewarding things I think I could ever be a part of. I am looking forward to educating people about Israel and sharing how beautiful it is.

NAVA NASSIRICO-PROGRAMING DIRECTOR

Hi! My name is Nava Nassiri and I’m a third year Managerial Economics major with a minor in Public Health. I come from a place where I am extremely proud to be Jewish and have no problem walking around with my Jewish star necklace. However, starting my college journey in an unfamiliar place, I faced multiple challenges when it came to my passion for Israel and Judaism. No matter what the situation, I know the importance that dialogue serves. AFI provides me a safe place to engage in challenging and passionate dialogues. I am an Aggie for Israel because everyone deserves their voice to be heard and I will continue to fight to make the voice of every Jewish student louder. AFI is not just a club, or a tight knit family, it is a platform for current and future students to create positive change on our campus and the greater Davis community. From events, to attending multiple conferences, I am aware of the difficulty and complexity of what we are fighting for, but it only makes it that much more worth it.

DANA BENAVIVICE PRESIDENT

Alo! My name is Dana Benavi and I’m a third year Community and Regional Development major. Coming to UC Davis, at a time when anti-Semitism was at a high, was very nerve racking. I was scared of saying that I was Jewish and that I was born in Israel. Joining Aggies for Israel has made me more confident in being who I am. It has given me the confidence to advocate for my home, my country. I have been to Israel multiple times throughout my life, but recently I was able to visit the Save A Child's Heart home (an organization in Israel that provides pediatric heart surgery to children from developing countries) and got to sit down with two children. These two children and many more have had to face so much darkness in their lives and to have an organization in Israel do so much to help them reminds me of why I advocate for Israel and why I am an Aggie for Israel.

MIKA BEKKERMANCO-INREACH DIRECTOR

Welcome! My name is Mika Bekkerman and I’m a second year Sociology and Communications major. Upon returning from Israel this past September from my Birthright trip, my connection to Israel was strengthened like no other. Birthright trips are accompanied by on-duty IDF soldiers, with whom my friends and I became very close. Their presence put so much of my life into perspective. They were our age physically, but nowhere near our age, mentally and emotionally. They have seen things I can never imagine and their experiences are indescribable, yet their playfulness and kindness was omnipresent. Because of them, Israel is no longer a distant country housing my people’s history, religion, and culture, but a country for whom some of my closest friends are fighting for. This drive is what led me to pursue a position in AFI and do everything I can to advocate and make our voices heard. If the soldiers in Israel are giving up their lives, why shouldn’t I fight for them in the best way I can. I am an Aggie for Israel because to me, Israel is more than a country. It is a more than a home for the Jewish people. Israel is a symbol of the possibility to achieve anything we, as a Jewish collective, can achieve.

BRIGITTE TABAROKICO-PROGRAMING DIRECTOR

Hey! My name is Brigitte Tabaroki and Iâ€™m a third year Psychology major with a minor in Music. I am an Aggie for Israel because I never want to silence my love for Israel and the Jewish culture. Growing up, I attended a private Jewish school; therefore I had the privilege of learning about and building a connection to the state of Israel. Through AFI, I long to continue to build our community's connection to Israel - something our ancestors ceaselessly worked to build. It is an honor working with such an intelligent and compassionate group of students to make a difference on our Davis campus.

YAEL VAINBERGDESIGN, MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

Hi! My name is Yael Vainberg and I’m a first year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major. I am an Aggie for Israel because contributing to the Jewish community is a part of me. Having the privilege of growing up in Israel I cringe when the first word that comes to people's’ minds is “war torn.” Israel is state of innovation, leadership, pride, and community. It may look small on a map but but it has contributed so much to this world with little recognition. This organization is my way of giving back to my home; a place where my family resides and has the best falafel in the world.

JULES LOPEZSTANDWITHUS EMERSON FELLOW

Shalom! My name is Jules Lopez and I’m a second year Economics and Spanish Major. I joined AFI because I wanted to learn more about Israel. I have always loved and supported Israel due to my Jewish upbringing. Growing up, people made nasty comments to me about being Jewish but never anything about Israel. When coming to Davis, not only were people anti Semitic, they were anti Israel. I didn’t know how to respond to people when they’d say outlandish and untruthful things about Israel and it bothered me. I stopped wearing my Star of David necklace so that I didn’t have to always justify my Jewish identity and pro Israel stance. Being a part of AFI has given me the tools to effectively respond to others when Israel is brought up in conversation. I’m still learning more and more about Israel everyday and with every event that AFI puts on, and for that I’m so grateful. This club has given me some of my best friends, and I couldn’t imagine my Davis experience without it. This is why I am an Aggie for Israel.